UHD with Sky Q basic package

[Cat1967]

Hi - is there any value in subscribing to the UHD option if you are only on the minimum Sky channel package and you don't have sports or movies? I.e. are there actually UHD channels or content to watch?

Also - if you don't have the UHD option, does this prevent you from watching free view UHD content for example via the Iplayer app?

[TimmyBGood]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

 I.e. are there actually UHD channels or content to watch?

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There are basically no UHD channels which aren't Sport.  Available UHD content will be in Box Sets.

[oldfella]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

Hi - is there any value in subscribing to the UHD option if you are only on the minimum Sky channel package and you don't have sports or movies? I.e. are there actually UHD channels or content to watch?

Also - if you don't have the UHD option, does this prevent you from watching free view UHD content for example via the Iplayer app?

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Hi @Cat1967 

Edit

There is some Q UHD content Entertainment On Demand and also in BoxSets but it is limited assuming you have the Sky Signature package and not Sky Essentials.

The only UHD channels are Sky Sports and F1.

You should be able watch UHD content on the iPlayer if you have the Q  UHD V3 box as far as I am aware.

[Doc5907]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

Hi - is there any value in subscribing to the UHD option if you are only on the minimum Sky channel package and you don't have sports or movies? I.e. are there actually UHD channels or content to watch?

Also - if you don't have the UHD option, does this prevent you from watching free view UHD content for example via the Iplayer app?

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@Cat1967The other thing worth checking and I'm sure you do is.. Do you have a 4k TV ?

[Cat1967]

Yes I do - in fact I have the full package with sky now and thinking of downgrading to save cost as most of what we watch is not on sports or movies.

(sorry never could figure out how to auto quote on this forum).

[nigea99]

hi @Cat1967 

The UHD subscription does not affect most apps such as BBC iplayer,  Disney + & Amazon Prime,  however if you pay for Netflix via SKY then it is needed to both allow Netflix in UHD but also to watch on more than 2 (up to 4)  screens simultaneously (need the HD add on first)   

[Cat1967]

OK thanks but to be clear, on the Sky website there is one option "HD" and another option "UHD and HD"  I was assuming that UHD includes HD (otherwise it would be crazy).

Also regarding Netflix - so are you saying that if you have a separate netflix subscription not through Sky, you can watch UHD content on netflix without the Sky UHD option?

(Edit:  I suppose it's not that big a deal because you can just watch UHD netflix on your TV directly anyway - it's just nice to have a single UI)

Also - if you have Netflix through Sky today but you want to split the account out and pay separately, is that possible?

[nigea99]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

OK thanks but to be clear, on the Sky website there is one option "HD" and another option "UHD and HD"  I was assuming that UHD includes HD (otherwise it would be crazy).

it is slightly confusing as the UHD add on needs the HD add on - they are billed separately  but the option  to subscribe to UHD usually is a combined UHD/HD ( i.e one option which selects 2 separate add ons) Edit : I think the 'list' prices are HD only £8, UHD £4 on top of the HD  sub, making it £12 for UHD & HD combined 

Also regarding Netflix - so are you saying that if you have a separate netflix subscription not through Sky, you can watch UHD content on netflix without the Sky UHD option?

If you pay for Netflix direct & separate to SKY  then you need to subscribe to the Specific Level you want in their subscription plans.

Also - if you have Netflix through Sky today but you want to split the account out and pay separately, is that possible?

Providing it is not part of a minumum subscription, yes, you can stop paying via SKY and then pay direct

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[Q-tips]

Much of Sky's content that is tagged as UHD is actually upscaled and not technically UHD anyway (They are supposed to flag upscaled "UHD" content - see below - but they don't). This even applies to much of the sports content on the SkySportsMainEventUHD channel (401).  Most decent 4K TVs do a better job of upscaling than Sky does so the benefit of a Sky UHD subscription is questionable.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

OK thanks but to be clear, on the Sky website there is one option "HD" and another option "UHD and HD"  I was assuming that UHD includes HD (otherwise it would be crazy).

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Historically the UHD supplement has not included HD and was possible to add by itself (to facilitate, for example, UHD Sports consumption).  Sky now typically lists 'HD' and then 'HD & UHD' as separate add-ons.

[simon194]

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@Q-tips wrote:

Much of Sky's content that is tagged as UHD is actually upscaled and not technically UHD anyway (They are supposed to flag upscaled "UHD" content - see below - but they don't). This even applies to much of the sports content on the SkySportsMainEventUHD channel (401).  Most decent 4K TVs do a better job of upscaling than Sky does so the benefit of a Sky UHD subscription is questionable.

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Sky do flag upscaled content quite well. There quite a  lot of "Enhanced for UHD" content indicated.

[Q-tips]

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@simon194 wrote:

Sky do flag upscaled content quite well. There quite a  lot of "Enhanced for UHD" content indicated.

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That's of interest. Where do you see it flagged? I mostly watch sport in "UHD" and have never seen this flag - and I always check the EPG.

[Cat1967]

Also "Enhanced for UHD" is obviously marketing, since unless you know otherwise, you might think this means it's even better than "normal UHD".

I was wondering about this and other streaming services a few times.  I have a Phillips 4K TV, and on the TV I have never been able to find a way of displaying on screen whether I am watching "true UHD" or not - I think it does flash up "HDR" content for a split second sometimes when you switch channels, but on other TVs I have had there is a button you can press which shows on the screen exactly what type of content you are watching.

[Q-tips]

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@Cat1967 wrote:

Also "Enhanced for UHD" is obviously marketing, since unless you know otherwise, you might think this means it's even better than "normal UHD".

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Yup - it should be "Upscaled for UHD".

[Q-tips]

Still hoping that simon194 (or anyone) will be able to get back to me with some examples of the "Remastered for UHD" tag. Maybe it's exclusive to Sky Cinema or some other add-on Sky service that I don't subscribe to…